Unveiling Factors Impacting Women's Positions in Paradiplomacy across Spain's Autonomous Communities

This study addresses a research gap by integrating a gender perspective into the examination of paradiplomacy. It explores how women are positioned in paradiplomacy and investigates how factors from diplomacy studies impact elected and appointed positions that shape the external actions of sub-state actors. Data collected from paradiplomatic bodies in seventeen Spanish Autonomous Communities reveals a gender composition trend, with men occupying higher-ranking paradiplomatic roles and women more prevalent in less influential positions. Feminist institutionalism is employed to understand gender representation factors and reveal the influence of electoral systems and party ideology. The analysis suggests that men are favoured in challenging positions and prosperous countries, reinforcing gendered assumptions. The study underscores the importance of recognising that all the institutions are gendered and provides insights for further research on gendered institutions in sub-state diplomacy. Despite the limited sample size, the study sheds light on evolving gender patterns within paradiplomacy.